John Wooden was one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time. During his 12 years of coaching at UCLA, he won 10 national championships.

Wooden’s relationship with his players was far greater than just a coach. He taught his players valuable life tools to help them not only become good basketball players, but to also become men. I believe everyone in USANA should learn, and practice, Wooden’s Two Sets of Threes.

In his book entitled, “Wooden, A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court,” Coach Wooden shares what his father called his “two sets of threes.” The first set is about honesty…

Never lie

Never cheat

Never steal

The second set of threes was about dealing with adversity:

Don’t whine

Don’t complain

Don’t make excuses

According to Wooden, his dad’s two sets of threes served as a compass for trying to do the right thing and behaving in a proper manner.

Thought for the day– Are you doing all you can to be successful in USANA?

To many times during a conversation or negotiation I see one party disrespects another. Nothing gets accomplished because feelings are hurt and pride overtakes common sense and good judgment. Sometimes this can happen when you are discussing or presenting USANA to a new prospect who just is not getting it.

The best communicators (and USANA Associates) always separate the people from the problem. While you can and should be passionate about your position, at the same you can and should treat the other person with with respect and dignity.

One of my favorite aphorisms goes like this. I believe every USANA Associate should remember this aphorism on a daily basis…

Watch your thoughts; they become words.Watch your words; they become actions.Watch your actions; they become habits.Watch your habits; they become character.Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

With children, you have to walk your talk. When it comes to training your USANA team, you also need to walk your talk and lead by example. Here’s a special poem I came across that emphasizes this fact…

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you did not feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, ‘Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

Barack Obama was raised by a single mother and his grandparents. They didn’t have much money, but they taught him values from the Kansas heartland where they grew up.

He took out loans to put himself through school. After college, he worked for Christian churches in Chicago, helping communities devastated when steel plants closed.

Obama turned down lucrative job oﬀers after law school to return to Chicago, leading a successful voter registration drive. He joined a small law ﬁrm, taught constitutional law and, guided by his Christian faith, stayed active in his community. Obama and his wife Michelle are proud parents of two daughters, Sasha and Malia.

Regardless of your political affiliation, this is probably one the greatest speeches of all time…

How have other people responded to this particular situation or result?

What specific changes do I have to make to avoid having this happen to me again and to reach my goals?

When you experience a problem, ask yourself these questions. If you develop the habit of consistently and passionately asking yourself these four questions EVERY time a problem arises, you’ll find that the answers and solutions will appear.

Thought for the day– “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results” Albert Einstein